When is the Brighton Festival on this year

Asks Madeline

A. The Brighton Festival 2002 runs from 4-26 May 2002.

�

Q. What types of events does the festival include

A. It covers all the arts - visual arts, music, theatre, opera, dance, film, comedy and literature�- and this year will include over 200 performances. New to the festival this year is a focus on entertaining children and young people and to that end the four weekends of May will feature the Children's Parade, street arts, circus and carnival. The Festival Fringe has been highly promoted this year and includes hundreds more acts during the main festival.

�

Q. Can you recommend anything I shouldn't miss

A. You can view a full listing of events online at http://www.brighton-festival.org.uk. Some of the highlights of this year's event include:

�

DANCE

Rome & Jewels: this is a unique hip-hop and breakdance version of Romeo and Juliet - where Verona meets downtown Philadelphia.

Theatre Royal 22-25 May, Tickets �6.50-�18.50.

�

THEATRE

The Gospel According to Matthew: George Dillon's portrayal of Matthew's gospel is very angry and dark and challenges the beliefs of Christians and non-believers alike.

Dillon gives a free talk after each performance.

Corn Exchange, Brighton Dome 17-18 May. Tickets: �8.50-�12.50.

�

The Well Being: Mouthpiece are a two-piece South African team that first brought The Well Being to Edinburgh last year where it received rave reviews - it tells a South African fairytale in a very vocal and physical format.

Komedia 7-11 May. Tickets �8-�10.

�

OPERA

Cosi fan tutte: the Scottish Opera presents a contemporary and vibrant rendition of Mozart's original opera,

Concert Hall, Brighton Dome 9-11 May. Tickets �10-�50.

�

MUSIC

Christopher Columbus: was initially a radio play written by composer William Walton with the poet Louis MacNeice in the 1940s. To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Walton's work the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra recreates the score alongside actors and singers. Greta Scacchi and Rufus Sewell are also booked to appear in the performance.

Concert Hall, Brighton Dome 18th May. Tickets �6-�25.

�

St Petersburg Symphony Orchestra: Featuring 120 members, the St Petersburg Symphony Orchestra presents work by Tchikovsky (Francesca da Rimini), Rachmaninov (Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini) and Glinka (Overture to Ruslan and Lyudmila).

Concert Hall, Brighton Dome 16th May. Tickets �6-�22.50.

�

Lamb Chop: are known on the independent music scene for their hybrid sound that blends country, soul and jazz.

Theatre Royal, 8th May. Tickets �15.

�

LITERATURE

Internationally famous authors read from their new books and talk to the audience. This year's writers include Louis de Bernieres (4 May), Mo Mowlam (6th May), Hanif Kureishi (9 May), Helen Dunmore (10 May) Andrew Motion & James Fenton (15 May), William Boyd (15 May), Jim Crace (17 May) and John O'Farrell (17 May).

All events take place at the Pavilion Theatre, Brighton Dome. Ticket prices vary between �4-�8.

�

BIG WEEKENDS

Weekend 1: Family Fun.

Includes the Children's Parade (from Sydney Street to Pavilion Gardens) - Free; Family Festival Ceilidh (Corn Exchange, Brighton Dome) - tickets �6 and Luminarium: Levity (Caf� Lawn, Pavilion Gardens) - tickets �4.

�

Weekend 2: Streets of Brighton

Includes A Little More Light (pyrotechnic theatre display in Preston Park) - free; Streets of Brighton street performers e.g. comedians, jugglers, acrobatics and musicians - free.

�

Weekend 3: Brighton Circus Festival

Includes Circus Baobab (blends African burlesque with trapeze and acrobatics in Preston Park) - tickets �12.50; Moscow State Circus (features the world's highest indoor high-wire act - in Preston Park) - tickets �8-�20.

�

Weekend 4: Carnival

Includes Brighton Samba Encounter (Corn Exchange, Brighton Dome) - free and Carnival Workshops (venue not yet announced) - tickets �5.

�

ART

OPEN HOUSES: Unique to the festival is the Open House programme where contemporary artists exhibit their work in the homes of the residents of Brighton & Hove, on every Saturday and Sunday during May. All exhibitions are free and include ceramics, metal work, paintings, prints, photography, sculpture and mixed media. A full programme of Open House art is available on the website: http://www.brighton-festival.org.uk.

�

COMEDY

Headway Comedy Night featuring Lucy Porter, Lewis Schaffer and Shazia Mirza. Concorde II, Madeira Drive. 16th May from 8pm. Tickets �7.

Julia Morris - raucous Australian comedienne. Komedia Theatre. 16th May from 10pm.

Dominic Howard - well known to Radio 4 listeners for his observational humour. Komedia Theatre. 25th May from 10pm. Tickets �10.

�

Tickets for all events are available from the Dome Box Office. Tel: 01273 709709

Email: [email protected].

�

Other useful numbers include:

Brighton Visitor Information Centre: 0906 711 2255

Theatre Royal: 01273 328488

Rail Information: 08547 484950

Coach Information: 01273 383744

Local buses: 01273 886200

Accommodation hotline: 0345 573512

�

Q. Can you recommend anywhere good to stay

A. Book early where possible - some good places that are a bit more unusual to stay in include:

�

The Sussex Arts Club, Ship Street, Brighton. Tel: 01273 727371

Trendy, themed rooms above Brighton's drinking club.

�

King's Hotel, Kings Road, Brighton. Tel: 01273 820854

Seafront hotel with infamous water beds.

�

Portland House Hotel, Regency Square, Brighton. Tel: 01273 820464

Four-poster balcony rooms, very relaxed atmosphere.

�

If you have any other Travel related questions please click here

�

By Karen Anderson